Lou Reed looks set to make chart return this week after his death prompted sales boost for his best-known songs

Lou Reed at the London Palladium in the concert for Amnesty international (Image: Mirrorpix)

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LOU Reed looks likely to make a chart return this week after his death prompted a sales boost for his best-known songs.

The US musician, who died on Sunday, has two tracks on course for the top 40 if current sales continue to the weekend.

His 1972 release Perfect Day is currently at number 33, according to data from the Official Charts Company, and it would be the first time his recording of the song had made the top 40.

A BBC Children In Need version, which gathered stars such as David Bowie, Sir Tom Jones and Evan Dando, went to number one for three weeks following its 1997 release and has become one of the biggest-selling singles in the UK, with 1.55 million sales.

Reed's Walk On The Wild Side, which peaked at number 10 in 1973, is currently at number 38, according to early sales predictions.

The 71-year-old star's death prompted tributes from dozens of prominent figures who spoke of his huge influence on the music world, from his days in the Velvet Underground onwards. His old friend and collaborator David Bowie called him "a master".

Reed's breakthrough solo album, Transformer, could also head back into the chart on Sunday, and is currently at 24 based on early sales figures.